Abstract/Summary

The south coast resort of Lyme Regis is threatened by a combination of marine erosion and large landslips. The geological factors
that influence the rapid rates of marine erosion and consequential cliff and slope movements in coastal areas such as this are difficult
to determine. Individual sites within the town can be adversely affected by processes and events that occur in much larger adjacent
onshore and offshore areas. However, coastal sites have the advantage of being amenable to a wide range of data-collection methods
which can be combined to provide the detailed three-dimensional geological and geomorphological models on which to base
proposals for remedial works. Multidisciplinary studies carried out at Lyme Regis in advance of detailed site investigations of the most
threatened areas have included topographical surveys and the preparation of large-scale geological maps in the onshore area along
with sidescan-sonar, bathymetric and seismic-reflection surveys in the offshore area.